Does linoleum shrink?

Linoleum is a high-quality floor covering. But even it has some disadvantages, one of which is shrinkage. To avoid this, you need to find out in what cases it occurs and what to do about it.

Does linoleum shrink?

Yes, it does. During use, the material begins to dry out. This helps to reduce the size. Such cases occur most often when covering wooden surfaces.

Depending on the type of floor

Shrinkage may occur depending on the type of floor. If the floor releases a small amount of moisture, the material expands. There will be no such unpleasant consequences, since the material absorbs water. The latter does not help reduce thickness. But at the same time, the coating itself contains a small amount of moisture. Therefore, if the floor is made of wood and is very dry, it begins to absorb the moisture contained in the linoleum. Then shrinkage occurs. It is impossible to say how large this figure will be. It all depends on the type and quality of the material. But we can give approximate figures - approximately 0-40% of the height of the linoleum.

Depending on quality

The quality of linoleum also plays a significant role. Good linoleum is made with a gasket under the bottom layer. It is able to absorb moisture, thereby swelling and expanding its thickness. It should be noted that the highest quality types of material do not shrink under any circumstances.

Another important parameter is the conditions of detention. Where exactly was it stored before covering the floor (damp or dry warehouse).

There is a method by which you can determine how much linoleum shrinks. To check you need:

1. We buy a small roll.
2. Leave it rolled up in a warm room for 1-2 days.
3. Roll out the roll on the floor.
4. Let it sit for a week.
5. If necessary, cut individual parts of the roll.
6. You can check. If the size of the material has decreased, or the linoleum has become too dry, it has happened.

There is a way to avoid this unpleasant phenomenon. To do this, allowances of 5 cm are left on each side of the material (the size may be larger, depending on the room).